Investigators Also Link One of the Suspects to Unrelated Robbery at a Nearby Store

Clockwise from top left: Andrew Lee Washam, 21, of Waldorf was arrested on Aug. 17; Derrick Jamar Thompson, 20, of Waldorf and Jerrod Lamont Benson, 21, of Lexington Park were arrested on Aug. 18; and Gregory Lee Boseman, Jr., 19, of Waldorf, turned himself in on Aug. 22.

LA PLATA, Md. (August 22, 2012)—Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey today announced that detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division have charged four people in connection with the brutal assault and robbery of a newspaper deliveryman that occurred two weeks ago. In addition, investigators linked one of the suspects to a robbery at a convenience store just days before the assault. "The arrests are the culmination of good police work and persistence in following every lead until the suspects were identified," said Sheriff Coffey.

On Aug. 5 about 2:40 a.m., the victim, a 62-year-old Waldorf man, was delivering newspapers in the 3300 block of Ryon Court when he was approached by a group of males who punched and kicked him repeatedly. During the assault, the suspects stole the victim's wallet, cell phone, jewelry and stripped him of all his clothing. The suspects attacked him several more times and then stole his van and fled.

The victim managed to crawl to the lobby of the Sheriff's Office's District III Station where CCSO personnel and Emergency Medical Technicians rendered aid. The victim was transported by ambulance to Civista Medical Center for treatment of severe, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers canvassed the area and quickly located the victim's van in the 12100 block of Vivian Adams Drive. Investigators responded and conducted a neighborhood canvass. As part of their investigation, detectives distributed flyers about the case and provided Crime Solvers information to residents. Soon after, detectives received information about possible suspects and as a result of pursuing those leads, were able to identify four suspects.

The suspects were charged with robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, theft and motor vehicle theft and are being held at the Charles County Detention Center with $100,000 bond.

Detectives also linked Thompson to the Aug. 2 robbery of a clerk at a convenience store on St. Ignatius Drive. In that case, Thompson is accused of entering the store, grabbing the clerk by the neck and stealing four packs of cigarettes. Investigators served an arrest warrant for Thompson on Aug. 22 charging him with robbery, second-degree assault and theft.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Det. B. Buchanan at 301-609-6477 or Det. J. Austin 301-609-6504 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.